Sura 57

Surah 57. Iron

57:1. Whatever is in the heavens and on Earth,- let it declare the Praises and Glory of "I AM": for He is the Almighty, the Wise.
57:2. To Him belongs the Dominion of the heavens and the Earth: it is He Who gives Life and Death; and He has Power over all things.
57:3. He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent (Revelation 1:8; 11): and He has full knowledge of all things.
57:4. He it is Who created the heavens and the Earth in Six Days, and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of Authority). He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And "I AM" sees well all that ye do.
57:5. To Him belongs the Dominion of the heavens and the Earth: and all affairs are referred back to "I AM".
57:6. He merges Night into Day, and He merges Day into Night; and He has full knowledge of the secrets of (all) hearts.
57:7. Believe "I AM" and His Apostle, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity),- for them is a great Reward.
57:8. What reason have ye why ye should not believe "I AM"?- and the Messenger invites you to believe your Lord, and has indeed taken your Covenant, if ye are men of Faith.
57:9. He is the One Who sends to His Servant clear Signs, that He may lead you from the depths of Darkness into the Light. And verily, "I AM" is to you most kind and Merciful.
57:10. And what reason have ye why ye should not spend in the Cause of "I AM"?- For to "I AM" belongs the heritage of the heavens and the Earth. Not equal among you are those who spent (freely) and fought, before the Victory, (with those who did so later). Those are higher in rank than those who spent (freely) and fought afterwards. But to all has "I AM" promised a goodly (reward). And "I AM" is well acquainted with all that ye do.
57:11. Who is he that will loan to "I AM" a beautiful loan? For "I AM" will increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal Reward.
57:12. One Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women- how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (their greeting will be): "Good News for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! To dwell therein for ever! This is indeed the Highest Achievement!"
57:13. One Day will the Hypocrites - men and women - say to the Believers: "Wait for us! Let us borrow (a Light) from your Light!" It will be said: "Turn ye back to your rear! Then seek a Light (where ye can)!" So a wall will be put up between them, with a gate therein. Within it will be Mercy throughout, and without it, all alongside, will be (Wrath and) Punishment! (Matthew 25:1-12)
57:14. (Those without) will call out, "Were we not with you?" (The others) will reply, "True! But ye led yourselves into temptation; ye looked forward (to our ruin); ye doubted "I AM"'s Promise; and (your false) desires deceived you, until there issued the Command of "I AM". And the Deceiver deceived you in respect of "I AM".
57:15. This Day shall no ransom be accepted from you, nor from those who rejected "I AM". Your abode is The Fire: that is the proper place to claim you: and an evil refuge it is!"
57:16. Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of "I AM" and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.
57:17. Know ye (all) that "I AM" giveth life to the earth after its death! Already have We shown the Signs plainly to you, that ye may learn Wisdom.
57:18. For those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to "I AM" a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.
57:19. And those who believe "I AM" and His Apostles- they are the Sincere (lovers of Truth), and the Witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: they shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject "I AM" and deny Our Signs,- they are the Companions of Hell-Fire.
57:20. Know ye (all), that the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: how rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness (A Royal Pardon) from "I AM" and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of "I AM"). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?
57:21. Be ye foremost (in seeking) Forgiveness (for your treason - Rev. 12:7) from your Lord, and a Garden (of Bliss), the width whereof is as the width of heaven and Earth, prepared for those who believe "I AM" and His Apostles: that is the Grace of "I AM", which He bestows on whom He pleases: and "I AM" is the Lord of Grace abounding.
57:22. No misfortune can happen on Earth or in your souls except it is recorded in a decree; before We bring it into existence: that is truly easy for "I AM".
57:23. In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor brag over favours bestowed upon you. For "I AM" loveth not any self-important boaster,-
57:24. Such persons as are covetous and commend covetousness to men. And if any turn back (from "I AM"'s Way), verily "I AM" is Free of all Needs, Worthy of all Praise.
57:25. We sent aforetime our Apostles with Clear Signs and sent down with them The Book (Bible) and the Balance (of Right and Wrong - The Torah) (The Covenant), that men may stand forth in justice and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that "I AM" may test who it is that will help, unseen, Him and His Apostles: for "I AM" is Full of Strength, Almighty (and able to enforce His Will).
57:26. And We sent Noah and Abraham, and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation: and some of them were on right guidance. But many of them became rebellious transgressors.
57:27. Then, in their wake, We followed them up with (others of) Our Apostles: We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him The Gospel and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of "I AM"; but, that they did not foster as they should have done. Yet We bestowed, on those among them who believed, their (due) reward, but many of them are rebellious transgressors.
57:28. O ye that believe! Fear "I AM", and believe in His Messenger, and He will bestow on you a double portion of His Mercy: He will provide for you a Light by which ye shall walk (straight in your path), and He will forgive you (your past): for "I AM" is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
57:29. That the People of The Book (Bible) may know that they have no power whatever over the Grace of "I AM", that (His) Grace is (entirely) in His Hand, to bestow it on whomsoever He wills. For "I AM" is the Lord of Grace abounding.

JAH